A multi-million contract with Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), the deal was realized back in August 26, 2004, thanks to the National Federation of Cooperatives of Persons With Disability (NFCPWD).

The contract is for the supply and door-to-door delivery of steel-based secondary armchairs. Yet what made this more than just the regular government procurement are the workers tasked for said supply and the door-to-door delivery.

To date, the men and women of the Association of Disabled Persons In Iloilo or ADPI particularly those with the ADPI Multi-Purpose Cooperative are directly in charge with the bulk of said order placed at 10,200 units.

With cross disability mostly polio victims, vision-impaired and blind, deaf-mute, have dwarfism and those with cerebral palsy, these Ilonggo workers are silent heroes who have all redefined Ilonggo craftsmanship. And within them, sparked a revolution of change in their quest for a productive life and recognized right for a regular life.

43 year-old Bob Flores of Mandurriao, Iloilo City is one of the three designated supervisors. A polio victim, Bob who may be orthopedically-handicapped sees no problem making his rounds here and there.

Quietly yet with seeming precision, Bob wheels in his wheelchair looking through the painting job of young women ADPI members in their late teens to early 20s. All deaf-mute yet loudly sending the message in every neatly-painted wood that will make for the back rest of the steel chairs.

Bob also checks with that ready smile to fellow polio victims engrossed in welding jobs and a group of happy faces of ADPI colleagues, all with dwarfism working through their task of piling up more woods.

The ADPI steel workers found refuge in the TESDA Regional Office where government support was extended for the group and welding course scholarship embraced by the members.

TESDA Regional Director Buen Mondejar in an interview said TESDA is most happy and willing to link up with the hardworking ADPI men and women. Those without the skill TESDA provided the scholarship.

Mario Abaygar, National President of the NFCPWD correspondingly serves as the General Manager of the ADPI Multi-Purpose Cooperative."I am most happy to have helped made them self-reliant and productive partners of the society and the government. This is the legacy I am leaving them," Mario said. "And it brings me great pride to bring these chairs to students from far-flung barangays. What an honor to be part of their education."From sanding, to cutting, from bending to welding, from grinding to painting, from transfer and delivery, ADPI power is there that ensures an average output of 60 steel chairs per day.

Alfredo Gumaquil, former town councilor of Pavia who lost a leg serves as the very able supervisor of the transfer and delivery of the finished steel chairs.

Like Bob, he makes his rounds in the TESDA workhouse quietly as he prods on the vision-impaired worker, guiding him through the waiting delivery truck. ADPI’s skills are also for making of wheelchairs, crutches and prosthesis for its members and those who needs one for family members faced with physical disability.

In the words of Secretary Augusto "Boboy" Syjuco, Director-General of the Technical Education and Skills Authority (TESDA), "Ang kapigaduhon, kaimulon kag kasablagan sa lawas indi na sarang kabalabag sa katumanan sa inyo handum para sa inyo kaugalingon kag inyo pamilya. Ang TESDA kag si Presidente Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo yara bilang hagdan sang sina nga katumanan. (Poverty and disability will not hinder our dreams for yourselves and your families. TESDA with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo are there to serve as your ladder for success and ladder for the realizations of those dreams.")

The ADPI. Silent heroes. Ordinary men and women leading extraordinary lives and great examples to the Ilonggo community. This is what life is all about -- perseverance and shining Ilonggo spirit.

The ADPI. Their appeal -- opportunity not pity. Their vision -- to establish a sustainable, productive and committed organization, to unite, guide and lead the total development of persons with disabilities in Western Visayas. Their mission -- to integrate the PWDs into society.